Battle of Huguan Pass

The Battle of Huguan Pass was fought in 206 AD between the armies of Cao Cao and Gao Gan during his war against Yuan Shao's sons.

Background
In 205 AD, Cao Cao slew Yuan Tan at the Battle of Nanpi, and Yuan Xi's generals Jiao Chu and Zhang Neng, Yuan Tan's strategist Wang Xiu, and Black Mountain Bandits Zhang Yan and his 100,000 troops all submitted to Cao Cao in the aftermath of his victory. Guo Jia then advised Cao Cao to send Jiao Chu and Zhang Neng to You Province to force Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang to surrender, and they were reinforced by the armies under Lu Xiang, Lu Kuang, Ma Yan, and Zhang Zi. Meanwhile, Li Dian, Yue Jin, and Zhang Yan were sent against Gao Gan at Bing Province. Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang hastily abandoned Youzhou and marched to Liaoxi to seek the help of the Wuhuan, and the new Imperial Protector of Youzhou, Wuhuan Chu, called hiis subordinates together to swear to support Cao Cao, who took over Youzhou peacefully. He then marched with Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang to join Li Dian, Yue Jin, and Zhang Yan in fighting Gao Gan, who had taken up a position at Huguan Pass.

Battle
Cao Cao sent Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang to pretend to be deserters and lead companies into Huguan Pass, where they were disarmed and welcomed behind Gao Gan's lines. They warned Gao Gan that he would be attacked that evening, and they volunteered to lead an attack on Cao Cao's army, receiving 10,000 soldiers. As Gao Gan's army drew close to Cao Cao's camp, it was ambushed on all sides, and Li Dian and Yue Jin took the pass in Gao Gan's absence. Gao Gan then fled to the Xiongnu, but their Khan Ce Xian refused to fight against Cao Cao and sent away Gao Gan. Gao Gan then fled to Governor Wang Yan at Shanglan, where he was put to death and his head sent to Cao Cao. Bing Province was thus conquered, and Cao Cao decided to focus on Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi.